Anasazi State Park Museum – Boulder, Utah

One of the charms of doing a trip into this area of the state is to be able to visit the historical areas and learn about how people lived before the influx of Europeans came to the area. The ancient Indian village in the heart of Utah’s canyon was one of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River. The word Anasazi is Navajo for “Ancient Ones” or “Ancient Enemy”.

The Anasazi were from the nomadism of the ancient hunting and gathering life but as time progressed they began to turn away from that lifestyle and settle into hamlet locations and build their homes. They planted crops, domesitcated dogs, took up agriculture and started gathering more belongings since they didn’t have to move everything all the time.

In the first half of their history, the Anasazi distinguished themselves primarily through the artistry of their basketry, which they crafted from the fibers of plants. In the second half, they left their mark on a much grander scale, through the construction of perhaps the most stunning prehistoric communities in the United States. The Anasazi would prove be resourceful, adaptable and, ultimately, the most enduring of the Pueblo cultural traditions.

The village that you will see when visiting the Anasazi State Park Museum is believed to have been occupied from A.D. 1050 to 1200. The village remains largely unexcavated but the gathering of the artifacts are on display for you to see. It isn’t known just how large this village was but hopefully, with time and care, more will be uncovered and there will be more learned about these facinating people.

During this time, known as the Pueblo III period, developed the thick-walled, highly polished, incredibly beautiful pottery known as Mesa Verde Black-on-White. They also continued to make corrugated gray pottery. Redwares, often with two- or three-color designs continued to be imported north of the river from the Kayenta country. Arrowheads continued in the triangular, side-notched form, but were often smaller than those of the previous period.

As time moved on so did the communities and the type of lifestyle also changed. It is interesting to look back and see how it was during the Phase III period, which you can do at the Anasazi State Park Museum.

As basket-weavers they were the best. Their baskets were used for nearly everything from carrying water, carrying possessions, preparation of meals and offerings in burials, but also for sifting of seeds and flour, storage of grain and personal and ceremonial items but did it in baskets of intricate and beautiful design.